Syria's Raqqa fully liberated from ISIL by SDF

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A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) spokesman told reporters that the Kurdish-led forces have fully captured Syria's northern city of Raqqa, after defeating the remaining ISIL forces there on Tuesday.

"The military operations in Raqqa have ended and now the city is being mopped up in search of sleeper cells if existed," Talal Silo said.

The city is also being combed in search of mines, as the situation in Raqqa has been completely controlled by the SDF.

Destroyed buildings at the frontline in Raqqa, Syria. /Reuters Photo‍

"Soon we will have an official statement about the liberation of Raqqa," he said.

"Sure the city of Raqqa has been liberated, and the military operations have ended, but we are mopping up the city," he stressed.

The victory marks the first major defeat to ISIL in Syria, as Raqqa is the de facto capital of the terror-designated group.

The SDF and allied fighters with the help of the US-led coalition have launched the operations to liberate Raqqa from ISIL four months ago.

Fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces raise a white flag near the National Hospital complex where the ISIL militants are holed up, at the frontline in Raqqa. /Reuters Photo

In the last week, a deal was struck between the SDF and ISIL with the mediation of local tribes in Raqqa for their surrender.

The local fighters and their families, as well as civilians, evacuated Raqqa, while the foreign fighters remained to fight till the end.

Earlier in the day, the SDF was fighting ISIL in its last position in the city's local stadium, after capturing the national hospitals and a few areas that have remained with ISIL.

ISIL declared Raqqa as its de facto capital in 2014, after announcing their self-styled caliphate in Syria.

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Source(s): Xinhua News Agency